Promoting the development and application of more accurate, ethically responsible artificial intelligence tools adapted to real clinical needs in order to improve the quality of healthcare is one of the main objectives of the NursIA network, an initiative led by a multidisciplinary team at the Universitat Jaume I in Castelló. The network brings together five research groups in fields such as nursing, biostatistics, machine learning, process mining and applied ethics, with the aim of contributing to the transformation of healthcare through innovative AI-based solutions that improve patient safety and the efficiency of healthcare processes.

Funded by the Universitat Jaume I’s 2025–2026 programme for the promotion of research and knowledge transfer, the network aims to generate impact in three key areas: scientific and technical development, institutional collaboration and knowledge transfer, and communication and outreach. Planned activities include a conference on the practical implementation of AI in clinical environments, the first open NursIA conference on artificial intelligence and healthcare transformation, and several scientific publications on AI applied to healthcare.

A research team at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin has developed a test that can determine a person’s chronotype based on their hair roots. It is intended to lay the foundation for circadian medicine – that is, medicine that is more closely aligned with the human body’s internal clock. Applied to approximately 4,000 people, the new method also reveals that women and men differ slightly in their biological rhythms, and that lifestyle has a greater influence than previously assumed. The results have now been published in the journal PNAS*.

Researchers at Aarhus University report a proof-of-concept DNA needle inspired by bacteriophages that can deliver molecules directly into cells and help them remain active. In laboratory experiments, the structure avoided endosomal trapping, a major limitation in current delivery methods. The approach may support future development of RNA-based therapies and treatments for rare genetic disorders.

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) has emerged as a critical player in both neurological and peripheral diseases. In a comprehensive review, researchers from Sichuan University examine the diverse cellular functions of LRRK2, its pathogenic mechanisms in Parkinson's disease and other disorders, and recent advances in LRRK2-targeted therapies. The review highlights how LRRK2 mutations disrupt intracellular signaling, mitochondrial function, and lysosomal homeostasis, while also exploring the therapeutic potential of LRRK2 kinase inhibitors currently under clinical development.

The China–Italy Laboratory Medicine Collaboration Meeting at Ruijin Hospital focused on strengthening international cooperation in academic publishing, research, and education. Key discussions included transforming LabMed Discovery into a more proactive platform through expert forums and expanding collaboration in AI applications in laboratory medicine.

Professor Sergio Bernardini’s visit to the LabMed Discovery editorial office highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen international academic publishing collaboration. Discussions focused on enhancing the journal’s global influence, expanding international editorial networks, and promoting high-quality scientific content.

The visit reinforced the role of LabMed Discovery as a bridge for global knowledge exchange and marked continued progress in China–Italy cooperation in laboratory medicine and academic publishing.

Older adults in India have almost 12% higher risk of depression when their adult children are unemployed. A new study from Umeå University shows that unemployment among younger generations increases the risk of poor mental health among parents, particularly in a society where many older adults are both economically and socially dependent on their children.